DATELINE WASHINGTON

Editors Note: This article begins a monthly series that will focus on national issues that affect higher education in general and the U-M in particular.

By Laurie Fenlason
Office of Federal Relations

Presidents, chancellors and their designees from each of Michigans 15 public universities traveled to Washington, D.C., Feb. 23 to meet with members of Michigans Congressional delegation.

The meeting was the first installment in what Western Michigan University President Diether Haenicke, chair of the Michigan Presidents Council, hopes will be a continuing dialogue between the campus leaders and their representatives in Congress.

Several of the states universities maintain an active presence in Washington, noted Glenn R. Stevens, executive director of the Council. But, until now, weve never brought together the leadership of our public universities to collectively focus attention on problems and issues of concern to us all and to our congressional representatives.

In introducing Rep. William Ford, Haenicke noted the Councils commitment to working with Congress and the Clinton administration on such issues as the improvement of elementary and secondary education, particularly in math and science; teacher training; community development and extension programs; and the development of technology in the classroom. Ford, D-Taylor, is chair of the House Education and Labor Committee and Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education.